Just bought my first camper

colomap · 10-12-2021, 02:49 PM

My wife and I have tent camped/backpacked all over the world for 30 years and we are done with it and seeking more comfortable dwellings - so we bought a new Epro E20FBS last weekend. Now I need to find a truck to tow it, lol. Seems like there a LOT to learn about this lifestyle!

Wiscampsin · 10-12-2021, 04:39 PM

Welcome from Wisconsin. Congrats and enjoy your E-pro E20FBS. Lots of friendly, knowledgeable and helpful on this forum. Yes there is a learning curve but go slow, give it some time, ask questions instead of making mistakes, and most of all have fun!

Martsing · 10-12-2021, 04:51 PM

Welcome from Central MD!!

Capacitor · 10-12-2021, 05:06 PM

Look for a f-150. The website didn’t say what size refer but with a micro above, it maybe a single door. Looks like it comes with a single 190w panel and an option for a second one. The 12 volt refer may need that if you do dry camping (boondocking). Do you know what battery it comes with?

TheWolfPaq82 · 10-12-2021, 05:11 PM

Welcome from Eastern Nebraska / Northwest Missouri. Happy Travels to ya both.

debit · 10-12-2021, 05:16 PM

Welcome. For an alternative for power when off the grid, we have been using a Honda 2000 for many years. We do have two batteries.

______________
Ram 2500 / Surveyor 251rks

cboss · 10-12-2021, 05:20 PM

Welcome from Upstate NY. Buy a Ford! LOL

NJKris · 10-12-2021, 05:26 PM

I"m glad I got a good used F150 to pull my GeoPro. But that was 3 years ago. Good luck finding one at a decent price now!

TheWolfPaq82 · 10-12-2021, 05:27 PM

My 2019Chevy Colorado V6 would pull that TT just fine. Nice rig.

Capacitor · 10-12-2021, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWolfPaq82

My 2019Chevy Colorado V6 would pull that TT just fine. Nice rig.

Do you use mirror extensions?

colomap · 10-12-2021, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capacitor

Look for a f-150. The website didn’t say what size refer but with a micro above, it maybe a single door. Looks like it comes with a single 190w panel and an option for a second one. The 12 volt refer may need that if you do dry camping (boondocking). Do you know what battery it comes with?

Batteries are 12v

CurtPutnam · 10-12-2021, 07:05 PM

Welcome from SoCal!

Nick Danger · 10-13-2021, 03:59 AM

Congrats on the new camper. If you've been tent camping for that long you should already know what gear and accessories you need. The more stuff you bring the more it takes to set up and break down. Enjoy!

NJKris · 10-13-2021, 08:48 AM

You won't need mirror extensions with the Geo. The width is about same as pickup. Nice thing about it. Very manageable size. An observation cam is nice regardless. Go with the Haloview. 20 dollar off coupon on it right now https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

colomap · 10-13-2021, 09:22 AM

Ah the truck question! Everyone keeps telling me a midsized truck would work - like a Honda Ridgeline or Tacoma. But answer me this - my trailer is 3400 lbs EMPTY - so I assume I need to be able to tow around 5000lbs - which is just about the towing capacity of those smaller trucks. I really dont want the "bare minimum" and don't want to struggle getting up the mountains etc (I live in CO). Any thoughts on this? I've been looking at F-150 for now so I can also comfortably load up the bed of the truck with anything I want (that might be heavy - like a generator)

Nick Danger · 10-13-2021, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colomap

Ah the truck question! ... I've been looking at F-150 for now so I can also comfortably load up the bed of the truck with anything I want

You can see from my profile what I have. I carry 4 sets of dog fence in the back of my truck (along with other things). I never wanted to be lacking for power or capability. Also, this may not be the only camper (or last) you'll pull with it.

colomap · 10-13-2021, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Danger

You can see from my profile what I have. I carry 4 sets of dog fence in the back of my truck (along with other things). I never wanted to be lacking for power or capability. Also, this may not be the only camper (or last) you'll pull with it.

Cool - so your camper is ~4400lbs? Do you haul your Harley in that setup as well? What are your thoughts on my 5000lb limit and pulling it with the bare minimum.

I guess the other thing is that most new Ridglines or Chevy Colorados are damn near as expensive as an F-150.

As a side note - I'm also kind of missed off because I can but Ford on the X plan for bigger discounts but no Ford dealers are honoring that right now with the dramatic lack of inventory etc.

Tabasco_Joe · 10-13-2021, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colomap

Cool - so your camper is ~4400lbs? Do you haul your Harley in that setup as well? What are your thoughts on my 5000lb limit and pulling it with the bare minimum.

I guess the other thing is that most new Ridglines or Chevy Colorados are damn near as expensive as an F-150.

As a side note - I'm also kind of missed off because I can but Ford on the X plan for bigger discounts but no Ford dealers are honoring that right now with the dramatic lack of inventory etc.

There are some Ford dealers honoring X-Plan but you have to do a lot of searching. My brother found one in Va earlier this year and I found one local to me. We are both in PA. (I ended up buying from another dealer that didn't honor X-Plan but did offer a comparable deal.)

Nick Danger · 10-13-2021, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colomap

Cool - so your camper is ~4400lbs? Do you haul your Harley in that setup as well? What are your thoughts on my 5000lb limit and pulling it with the bare minimum.

I guess the other thing is that most new Ridglines or Chevy Colorados are damn near as expensive as an F-150.

As a side note - I'm also kind of missed off because I can but Ford on the X plan for bigger discounts but no Ford dealers are honoring that right now with the dramatic lack of inventory etc.

I don't bring my Harley with me

. My truck says it will pull 11300 lbs and can haul somewhere around 1800 Lbs.
I'm well within range of both. But I'd like to think I'm going to keep that truck for the next 15 years (I don't put a lot of miles on it currently) because I got it only to pull the camper (Long story that is complicated) and assumed that I'd upgrade the camper once I made definite plans for retirement. Of course not everything has worked out according to "my plan".
Have no trouble with power or pulling and love the truck! I also got the 36 gal gas tank because I fully intend to do some distance traveling eventually.

Been offered $6000 more than I paid for it more than once because the inventory around here is quite sparse. Have only seen 1 other equipped like mine in the last year; but I don't cruise the lots.

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